Gary Neville backs Maheta Molango's appointment as PFA CEO

‘It’s clear football is resisting this appointment’: Gary Neville hits back at the ‘disparaging’ reaction to Maheta Molango taking over as PFA CEO as he insists there’s ‘an element of xenophobia’ in the criticism aimed at Gordon Taylor’s replacement

• Gary Neville has given his backing to Maheta Molango as CEO of the PFA
• He insisted there is ‘an element of xenophobia’ in criticism directed at new CEO
• Outgoing Gordon Taylor is to step down from role which he has held since 1981

Gary Neville has given his backing to Maheta Molango as CEO of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), insisting that there is ‘an element of xenophobia’ in the criticism directed at the former Brighton forward.

The 38-year-old was given the position on Tuesday after applicants were sifted through by recruitment agency Savannah, who carried out interviews and drew up a shortlist.

The PFA’s new four non-executive directors, Darren Hardman, Trevor Johnson, Ebru Koksal and Geoff Thompson, who were announced in December, then carried out final interviews before selecting Molango.

Maheta Molango is to become new chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association

Gary Neville has given his backing to Molango as CEO of the PFA on his social media platform

The decision has raised eyebrows across the game, given a perceived lack of experience. However, insiders say the panel was keen on bringing a ‘freshness’ to the organisation and the fact Molango was very much seen as coming in from the outside stood him in good stead.

Former United defender Neville has hit back at the reaction to the appointment of the former Real Mallorca chief executive and has thrown his support behind the incoming CEO.

‘I think it’s about 48-72 hours since the emergence of the new PFA candidate has become public,’ Neville said in a post on his Instagram page to his 1.1 million followers.

‘I stand here today having read, listened and watched over the last few days the report in respect of the new candidate and let’s be clear, it’s disparaging, there’s an element of xenophobia about it, there are negative undertones and it’s clear that football is resisting this appointment. 

‘Resisting this appointment through feeding journalists with negative information about the candidate, what he can’t do, why he shouldn’t be there, the process is wrong. 

‘It’s actually the first time that there has been probably a truly independent process within English football around the appointment of a CEO from four independent non-executives and because it’s not someone they know, because it’s not someone that they thought they could manipulate, that they can get to, they don’t like it. Really clear for me.

Outgoing Gordon Taylor is preparing to step down from the role which he has held since 1981

‘This candidate has the skill set, he’s representative of the membership and before he evens gets in seat it’s almost as if it’s been determined whether he’s good enough or not.

‘It’s absolutely critical, I’ve read the independent review having been part of the earlier processes in appointing the independent non-executives of the PFA. 

‘It’s absolutely critical that that independent review is published. It’s critical that that independent review is acted upon and it’s critical that the members of the PFA and the associated staff get behind their new CEO and make sure that there is a great transition in difficult times when you’ve had a long-serving CEO like Gordon [Taylor] it’s critical that everyone is facing in the right direction. 

Molango played six times for Brighton and was chief executive at Real Mallorca in Spain

‘If you’re not then there’s going to be difficult times ahead but I wish the new candidate all the best. 

‘I hope that the members validate and accept the appointment of him and that he’s able to work his way through the first few months in a comfortable fashion, get his feet under the table and be given an opportunity like everyone should be.’

Molango, from Switzerland, is a qualified lawyer who played a handful of matches in England’s lower leagues between 2004 and 2007. He also featured six times for Brighton and had loan spells with Oldham Athletic and Lincoln City. He studied law in Madrid, and has practiced in Spain and in the United States.

Taylor, who earns around £2m a year, has been PFA CEO since 1981. It is understood his contract runs until late-June. However, should Molango express a desire to start in the near future, the change could go through following April’s Annual General Meeting.

Molango, who will earn £500,000-a-year, fought off competition from the likes of PFA chairman Ben Purkiss and ex-Everton player Gareth Farrelly, who both made the latter stages of the process. 

Share this article

Source: Read Full Article